Oil field test and separation system

Abstract

An improved fluid separator and tester having a vessel, an adjustably buoyant float member, an external surge tank, and a gas vent connected to the fluid separator having a float and gas valve assembly, the improvement comprising a set of risers set to equal height, at least one valve to redirect fluid flow to test flow meters, and a spill preventer having a connection to a vertical gas valve, a housing, at least one internal freely movable float, upper float seat adapted to receive a float to seal and prevent the escape of particulates while allowing the venting of gas, a float support means, and discharge means for expelling the contents, whereby the improvements provide increased accuracy in determining a volume of each type of input fluid during operations, allow for the assessment of proper operation of the meters, and prevent environmental contamination in the event of system malfunction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]None.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention generally relates to separation of a fluid mixture into its components of oil, gas, and water and meter the volumes of the oil and water components produced.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]The invention relates to a system for separating and measuring mixed fluids. Specifically the invention may be applied to the separation of crude oil, gas, and water coming from a production well and the volumetric measurement of crude oil and water using a mechanical portable device. More particularly, the invention relates to a system involving a fluid control manifold, a gas vent affixed to the top of a surge tank whereby the gas may be removed from the fluid mixture before entering the fluid separator, a spill preventer inhibiting an oil spill in case of a gas vent failure, a separation apparatus with a separation vessel, an adjustable float within the vessel, which allows the fluid of lower specific grav...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a system for separating and measuring mixed fluids from an oil well. It includes a manifold, a gas vent, a spill preventer, a separation vessel with an adjustable float, fluid volume meters, and valves for checking the operation of the meters without removing them. The system can accurately measure the oil and water volumes, even when gas is present. It also addresses issues with previous devices such as incorrect metering and gas contamination. The invention is portable, easy to operate, and can provide a more realistic account of the well contents while minimizing environmental soil contamination.

Problems solved by technology

Problems encountered in the oil fields of the past have been identified as: (1) the accuracy of the measurement of the volume of constituent fluids being extracted from the well and transferred to the tank batteries; (2) the cost of the testing and measuring equipment; (3) the portability of the testing and measuring equipment; (4) fluid spills; and (5) diagnostic testing of the metering equipment in the field

Current devices and methods do not satisfactorily address all these prior problems.

However one serious drawback involved incorrect metering when and if medium to high volume gas was present with the fluids.

This prior device was sufficient for low volume from the gas wells but in higher volume wells, once the gas had sufficient accumulation in the gas cap at the top of the surge tank, the gas could be introduced back into the fluid mixture, thus contaminating the volume measurements.

Additionally, the lower pipeline coming from the bottom of the fluid separator was not elevated to the same height as the top pipeline coming from the top of the fluid separator which could bias the internal float thus preventing normal separation operation.

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